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Old 06-14-2010, 01:01 AM   #1
jre583
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Built-in HDD/SSD password for toshiba NB205


I have a Toshiba NB205 and it is now asking for a built-in hdd/ssd password. I don't have a password (or my daughter has changed it) Is there any way to reset it or does anyone know what Toshiba set up for their passwords?
 
Old 06-14-2010, 07:23 PM   #2
onebuck
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Hi,

Welcome to LQ!

What OS or distribution?

 
Old 06-14-2010, 07:34 PM   #3
Peacedog
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Hi jre583, Welcome to LQ. Is this a bios password? You could try the system rescue cd which has the cmospwd tool.

Good luck. ;-)
 
Old 06-14-2010, 07:57 PM   #4
jefro
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If it is the hdd password you may have to return it to the factory.
 
Old 06-15-2010, 11:27 AM   #5
schneidz
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the mobo probably has a factory reset pin.
 
Old 06-15-2010, 03:43 PM   #6
jre583
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HDD/SSD Password

It is windows 7 starter and does not have a cd drive. Toshiba says they have no reset button or reset password and it is not covered by warranty and the hard drive will have to be changed.
 
Old 06-15-2010, 04:45 PM   #7
onebuck
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Hi,

Quote:
Originally Posted by jre583 View Post
It is windows 7 starter and does not have a cd drive. Toshiba says they have no reset button or reset password and it is not covered by warranty and the hard drive will have to be changed.
How old is the hard drive and system? You bought it from Toshiba or a vendor? If a vendor then contact them.
 
Old 06-15-2010, 09:05 PM   #8
jefro
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Those HDD passwords don't seem to have been cracked. It is a factory only deal unless you know someone at the factory.
 
Old 06-16-2010, 07:28 AM   #9
schneidz
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taking the cmos battery out for a few days mite reset the bios to factory default ?
 
Old 06-16-2010, 07:51 AM   #10
onebuck
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Hi,

Quote:
Originally Posted by schneidz View Post
taking the cmos battery out for a few days mite reset the bios to factory default ?
Not that easy with most small footprint machines or portables. Battery access on Laptops, Notebooks and Netbooks are not always as accessible as the Desktop or tower machines. Even the latter small footprint desk units don't always have readily removable batteries. Most of the desk units do have the means to reset the BIOS but still not all.

 
Old 06-16-2010, 07:58 AM   #11
thorkelljarl
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Google...

Google tells me that for some laptops having a locked HDD, even replacing the HDD does no good; any harddisk that is installed will be locked in turn upon installation.

If you can, you might try to clear the CMOS BIOS chip, as suggested, or flash the BIOS. Sometimes these procedures remove or annul BIOS password protection and, assuming that the BIOS is controlling things, they might also work on the HDD password.

In addition, use the command "lshw" to identify the make and model of the HDD/SSD, then google for a disk utility for the device. A HDD utility such as HUTIL for Samsung or SeaTools for Seagate can change the basic settings for a HDD, and may be able to remove the password protection on a HDD.

I don't know anything about utilities for a SSD. You could also see if it is possible to flash any firmware on the drive.

What is the exact model number of your NB205; there are several?

Good Luck. Unfortunately you need it.

Last edited by thorkelljarl; 06-16-2010 at 08:08 AM.
 
Old 06-16-2010, 12:10 PM   #12
jre583
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toshiba nb205

The operating system is windows 7 starter and the exact model is nb205-n330pk. I have tried all of the numbers on the information sheet ( hoping that it was the model number or such) Not real comfortable taking the back off to remove battery but it doesn't work so what can it hurt? The unit is about 2 months old and was bought thru ebay (by my wife and hopefuuly a respected vendor so i will try to contact them).
 
Old 02-11-2015, 12:31 PM   #13
hndsm1
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From my own personal experience...

It has been some time since I had to deal with a HDD password. There are two ways it can be done. One method requires the unit to have a LPT port and you make yourself a loopback adaptor. Pin one connects to pin 40, pin 2 connects to pin 39, etc until all pins are connected to another. The unit is then booted and the design of the board circuitry will clear "everything" including all HDD passwords. The other method I found successful was finding the two pins on the motherboard that were put there for the very purpose of clearing HDD passwords. That was on a Toshiba laptiop, of course not all boards provide that access but thanks to relentless Google searching, I found all of this information.
Hope this helps someone elses nightmare.


Not sure, but it may be possible to cause the same effect with a usb adaptor, as I understand the way the loopback adaptor works, is by directing a small dose of electricity creating a short circuit of sorts, and circumventing initial commands on boot up..If someone understood exacly why/how the lpt adaptor works, one might think any other similar method may work also. food for thought

Peace Brothers and Sisters

Last edited by hndsm1; 02-11-2015 at 12:42 PM. Reason: spelling error
 
  


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